Brandi Carlile Tuxedo Azealia Banks Gill Landry Lions
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BRANDI CARLILE TUXEDO AZEALIA BANKS GILL LANDRY LIONS THE FIREWATCHER'S DAUGHTER TUXEDO BROKE WITH EXPENSIVE TASTE GILL LANDRY SOUL RIOT ATO RECORDS STONES THROW PROSPECT PARK ATO RECORDS STONES THROW The Firewatcher’s Daughter is the newest collection of songs from golden- Mayer Hawthorne (Aquarius) and Jake One (Taurus) – together as Tux edo – Harlem-born Azealia Banks has always been a force. Since her first steps Gill Landry’s self-titled third album is his first on the ATO label, but Inspired by reggae, sound system culture and the myriad of musical styles voiced singer / songwriter Brandi Carlile. The 12-song album explodes with are descendants of the one-word moniker family of funk: e.g. Chic, Shalamar, as a child in off-Broadway theatre productions to her training at La he is not new to the family. He’s played guitar, banjo, pedal steal, influenced by Jamaican music old and new, The Lions’ sound is firmly energy, urgency and pristine harmonies and represents the start of a fresh chap- Plush & Zapp. The Tux edo collaboration began with an exchange of mixtapes Guardia High School of Performing Arts - a breeding ground for stars - and been a contributing songwriter in Old Crow Medicine Show placed in soul music. The band draws together a dozen or so of Los ter for Carlile and her longtime collaborators Tim and Phil Hanseroth – also back in 2006. The fruits of a long-standing kinship were three tracks that mys- she’s been steadily perfecting her craft and making a name for herself. since 2004. Although Gill’s music is influenced by some of the same Angeles reggae and soul forerunners who loosely coalesced as The Lions known as “The Twins.” The Firewatcher’s Daughter was recorded almost teriously showed up on Internet doorsteps nearly two years ago. In between per- Banks started make waves with her celebrated cover of Interpol’s ‘Slow sources as Old Crow, his music is very much his own. Gill produced in 2007. Members of the legendary ska band Hepcat, Deston Berry and entirely as first takes without any demoing and result is immediate and electrify- sonal projects, these three tracks became a full album’s worth of Tux edo. The Hands’, and collaborations with Major Lazer, but it was when her 2011 and recorded the album himself, but was aided by a constellation of Alex Désert, form half of the vocal team, and the latter also has a success- ing. “The Eye,” a song influenced by Crosby, Stills and Nash, is so intimate and album was mixed by original disco don dada John Morales at his home studio single “212” – and it’s accompanying video – went viral that the collective talents gathered on his nonstop travels. From Laura Marling, who ful career on screen, including roles in the films Swingers and High hushed you can hear the quiver of Brandi’s voice in a flawless 3-part harmony. in South Plainfield, New Jersey. “I flew out there,” Mayer says. “He made me jaws of the blogosphere cracked keyboards the world over. She released duets on “Take This Body,” to trumpeter Nick Etwell of Mumford and Fidelity. The other half is the sweet falsetto of Malik Moore and DJ stylings Lead-off track and first single “Wherever Is Your Heart” captures a fiery intensi- spaghetti and everything.” Tux edo’s eponymously-titled debut marks Mayer’s an EP (1991), scored a major record deal, toured her ass off, and worked Sons, who plays with tasteful power on a handful of songs. From of Black Shakespeare, the charismatic cousin of Robbie Shakespeare (of ty. The creative spirit of the album is also exemplified in Brandi’s sold-out Pin return to the label since his debut release of A Strange Arrangement in 2009, on her proper full-length debut… Which, years later, is finally here. Broke Odessa, who lends harmonies and violin to a number of tunes to Sly & Robbie fame) and co-runner of the i&i Sound System, a customized Drop Tour, where Brandi and The Twins performed songs new and old without which is worth mentioning for two reasons: (1) It’s also featured in this month’s With Expensive Taste has blown the minds of critics and fans alike with Robert Ellis whose eloquent and understated guitar work is melliflu- ice cream van bringing bass to the streets of the west coast. Soul Riot is any amplification. The Chicago Tribune attributed Carlile to proving “that some- Mixtape and (2) because it should let you know that our kid already has soul, her unparalleled lyrical skills and unexpected productions. Banks is a star ous. This album is one that anyone can relate to and will want to lis- The Lions’ aptly-titled response to the fever-pitched emotions of America times music has more to say than speakers can communicate.” Indeed. which is more than half-way to funk. Breakdancing is required. and Broke With Expensive Tastes is an instant classic. ten to, over and over, with their lovers – real or imagined. circa now, delivered with mellow eloquence rather than high tempers. THE ELWINS SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY MAYER HAWTHORNE FIELD MOUSE HURRAY FOR THE RIFF RAFF PLAY FOR KEEPS AND THE CONSPIRATORS A STRANGE ARRANGEMENT HOLD STILL LIFE SMALL TOWN HEROES HIDDEN PONY WORLD ON FIRE STONES THROW TOPSHELF RECORDS ATO RECORDS The Elwins are a charming pop band from the lakeside town of DIK HAYD RECORDS Mayer Hawthorne’s debut album A Strange Arrangement grew Hold Still Life, which was co-produced by band members Andrew Futral Hurray for the Riff Raff is Alynda Lee Segarra – a Puerto Rican Keswick, Ontario that specialize in writing bright infectious songs. out of a childhood steeped in Detroit soul. A Strange Arrangement and Rachel Browne, marks Field Mouse’s first full-length that’s been writ- girl from the Bronx. After leaving home at an early age to travel Slash has always been drawn to riff and melody, demonstrated from his early The release of the band’s 2012 debut And I Thank You introduced draws from the inspiration of Leroy Hutson, Smokey Robinson, and ten and released as a full band. The album was recorded at Seaside the country, she eventually settled in New Orleans where she work with Guns ‘N’ Roses to his later contributions with Velvet Revolver. Since The Elwins to audiences worldwide and yielded the approval of the legendary songwriting and production trio of Lamont Dozier, Lounge, Brooklyn & Let ‘em In, Brooklyn and mixed by Kyle Gilbride began to perform and record with a revolving cast of musicians. 2008, Slash has set his career on its track as a solo artist, and in 2011, invit- taste makers like Exclaim!, Rolling Stone and CBC. Dripping with Brian Holland, and Eddie Holland Jr. At the same time that it revels (Swearin’, Waxahatchee, Upset). Upon returning from a tour with Laura Many of the songs on her most recent album, Small Town ed Alter Bridge frontman Myles Kennedy to contribute his second solo album high-energy fun and smile-inducing sing-alongs, their sophomore in the raw sounds of those independent musicians who aspired to Stevenson and the Cans in 2013, the band wasted no time arranging the Heroes, reflect Segarra’s reverence for New Orleans. She bears on a whim. This resulted in the release of Apocalyptic Love and a lasting col- record Play For Keeps piles on the charm. Like most of the songs achieve a level of success akin to their famous peers. A Strange album. Inspired by burgeoning adulthood, social overload and isolation, witness to a wave of violence that struck the St. Roch neighbor- laboration that includes drummer Brent Fitz, bassist Todd Kerns (aka “The on Play For Keeps, lead single, “So Down Low” was written and Arrangement is an album full of original compositions and one life in New York, and the realization that life is going by with a terrifying hood in the soulful “St. Roch Blues;” yearns for a night at BJ’s Bar Conspirators”) and producer Eric Valentine. Slash’s second release with Myles recorded relatively close to the bands’ homes in Keswick, Ontario. cover (he had to give The New Holidays “Maybe So, Maybe No” a swiftness (plus a handful of breakup songs to boot), Field Mouse wrote in the Bywater in “Crash on the Highway;” and sings of her home Kennedy and The Conspirators, World On Fire is a cohesive effort from a The homespun nature of Play For Keeps is seemingly safe as milk, whirl) that underlies a heartfelt nostalgia to the sweet soul of yester- and recorded the new album in late 2013. If you’re a fan of artists like The in the Lower Ninth Ward on “End of the Line,” calling it a “love band who has found its groove and perfected an already harmonious chem- but includes just the right amount of naughty because, really, what year with a clear desire to show that his Strange Arrangement is Breeders, Sonic Youth, Velocity Girl, My Bloody Valentine, Beach House or song to that whole area and crew of people.” Small Town istry. Heavy, explosive, and filled with brilliant, virtuosic solos, World On Fire would rock (indie or otherwise) be without it? no passing fancy. “It’s old soul,” Hawthorne explains, without an Juliana Hatfield, you’re gonna enjoy Field Mouse. Plus, they have a real- Heroes was heralded by many as one of 2014’s best albums. not only features the best of Slash and Kennedy’s talents, but fills a void for ounce of irony.